Jun 13, 2010

Gran Treasures

Renovations are aaaaalllllllmmmmoooost done. And I'm so tempted to post photos. But it's just not as effective an 'After' when it's only partially done. So we must wait. In the meantime, a posting to tide over...

My Gran passed away last September. One of my favourite people in the world. She was delightful and bratty, loved her gin and crosswords. She couldn't keep a single garden plant alive, constantly hit the wall of her garage with her lightening bolt emblazoned car and single handedly kept the kitchy 'most annoying present ever' industry afloat. Everyone in my family dreaded the years when that creepy singing fish was popular. Inevitably, one of us got it for Christmas.

I still really miss her.

Gran lived in a little house at Shuswap Lake. And my family and later hubby and the kids spent many years sitting on her deck and skipping rocks and floating at the lake. No one could bear to be at the house without my Gran so the family decided to sell the house.

After the house sold last month, we met my parents and my aunt and uncle at the house to help to clear out her estate.

Lily in Gran's living room - very excited to see her Bama and Bumpa from Vancouver.

We were fortunate to pick up a few items that will be well loved at the MCM House on the Prairie. But because I am ever trying to be environmentally conscious (read: evil) and won't let hubby get a truck, we couldn't fit any of it in our car. So this past Saturday, Jason rented a truck and drove out to Shuswap. 12 hours of driving. In one day*. Here's some pix of some of the things he brought back:

All the pretty period appropriate flowers I can grow in my suburban 50's dreamhouse. Oh wait. I live in Calgary and can't seem to keep anything alive.

Jason thought this one would look good in our rec room bar. Not to drink though. Because it's Creme deMenthe.

A sweet little bar set.

Some dancing teacups of my Great Grandma's.

How freaking awesome are these?

Noguchi inspired teak side table made by my Gran.

Little lamp you can grow a plant in. Or not. Because watering a plant that is plugged into a wall seems risky.

My Gran saved everything. Including every pattern from the 1960s to the 1980s. All size 14, 36 bust. Lower right: Not sure where one would wear a sweatshirt material jumpsuit with a turtleneck? Space?

Michael Jackson for kids. Top right.

And for those nights when I have a hankering for bowling...

And my favourite piece. A teak sideboard...

To hold all the records on the new record player I got for Mother's Day. Woot!

We feel so blessed to have little reminders of Gran to spice up the Prairie house. She was one of the coolest cats out there and a big part of both our lives.

LP

* Clearly an attempt to gain some points from the recent Vegas/fishing trip/hole in floor.

2
comments:

Oooh, fabulous things brought back. I like to have vintage things in my house that have personal meaning to me, like my great grandma's little Brownie Hawkeye camera...makes it all the more special.

As for the lamp with the space for plants, they actually originally had silk (plastic? who knows...) plants in them for the look, but without the risk. I thought it was odd too until I found that out. Not sure if I like the look of the plants though...will see when my TV lamp arrives as it has space for them as well. In any case, great stuff and great pics to peek at!

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I own a sweet mid century house in the inner city in Calgary that I am restoring with my husband and two wee girls (they mainly just make messes). I write about my restoration adventures, mid century heritage and attempting to prairie garden at 4000 ft elevation.